Salary: $55,755.00 – $82,845.00 Annually
Location: Skagit County – Other, WA
Job Type: Full Time – Permanent
Department: Dept. of Transportation
Job Number: 23DOT-NWR-13283
Closing: 3/16/2023 11:59 PM Pacific
About WSDOT
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is the steward of an integrated, multimodal transportation system that helps to ensure people and goods move safely and efficiently throughout the state. In addition to building, maintaining, and operating the state highway system, WSDOT operates the largest ferry system in the nation, manages the world’s longest floating bridge, and recently completed the world’s widest tunneling project.
The Opportunity
WSDOT is currently seeking a Transportation Planning Specialist 2 (In-Training) to serve as the Environmental Assistant in Northwest Region. This position supports WSDOT’s mission and Northwest Region by serving as a technical and regulatory environmental specialist on interdisciplinary teams. This position will provide environmental support to projects for scoping, design, construction, and postconstruction efforts to meet NEPA/SEPA environmental review and permitting requirements, and aid in planning and conducting transportation studies related to biological resources and other environmental technical disciplines to meet regulatory requirements.
Note: This position includes an approved in-training plan; therefore, it may be filled at the Transportation Planning Specialist 1 or 2 level. The salaries for these classifications are as follows:
Transportation Planning Specialist 1: $55,755 – $75,096 annually depending on qualifications.
Transportation Planning Specialist 2: $61,639 – $82,845 annually depending on qualifications.
What to Expect
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Environmental Assistant will:
- Prepare environmental documentation and environmental permit applications needed for the Region’s design/construction projects.
- Develop scope, schedule, and budget for the required environmental processes during the project definition phase.
- Work with a team of environmental scientists in the NW corner of Washington State engaged on securing environmental approvals and permits from federal, state and local agencies to help recover endangered species. Assist with biological surveys and studies including assessment of habitat and potential effects to threatened and endangered species.
- Assist with technical biological documents related to terrestrial and aquatic systems, wetlands, plants, animal communities including wetland delineations, endangered species biological assessments, and other biology documents.
- Assist with fish exclusion efforts and identify freshwater and anadromous fish species common to western Washington at various life stages.
- Utilize GIS to investigate, prepare, and present biological information.
- Use and transport up to 50 lbs. of field equipment including shovels, machetes, augers, measuring tape, electroshocking backpack, dip nets, seines, fenceposts, fencing and clippers.
- Assure that all environmental laws, rules, regulations, and policies are followed on all aspects of the construction program by providing data entry and management of environmental commitments in the Commitment Tracking System (CTS) database.
- Prepare environmental commitment notebooks for environmental office staff and for projects the incumbent has been assigned.
- Organize project files and other office resource files as needed.
- Maintains hard copy and electronic files for projects directly assigned.
- Supports the Project Delivery Environmental Specialists with environmental compliance before and during construction.
Qualifications
An ideal candidate for the Transportation Planning Specialist 1 position will have:
- Bachelor’s degree involving any major study in natural resources, biology, natural sciences, or a closely related field.
- One (1) year of professional experience involving field biology and the application of environmental regulation, OR A Master’s degree in an applicable field may also substitute for the required experience.
An ideal candidate for the Transportation Planning Specialist 2 position will have:
- Bachelor’s degree involving major study in transportation, landscape architecture, environmental or urban, regional or land use planning, engineering, public or business administration, economics, biology, or natural or physical sciences.
- One (1) year of professional transportation experience involving analysis and evaluation of transportation issues and problems. Analysis of environmental issues and problems that involve transportation issues will also be considered qualifying experience.
-OR-
- One (1) year as a Transportation Planning Specialist 1 or Transportation Engineer 1, Transportation Planning Technician 3, Transportation Technician 3, Landscape Designer 1, or equivalent classification in city or county agencies.
-OR-
- A Master’s degree in academic fields listed above.
In addition, the following are required at both levels:
- Apply knowledge of forest ecology, wetlands, wildlife, fisheries, and stream restoration to transportation scoping, design, construction, maintenance, and operations.
- Develop and nurture healthy and effective working relationships with team members and customers in order to provide excellent customer service.
- Effectively present materials and information to diverse stakeholder groups
- Accurately perform complex mathematical calculations, use a computer to evaluate data, prepare reports, databases, and Word documents
- Efficiently compile information in to reports and/or plans from sources such as field reviews and scientific publications.
- Work effectively under stress.
- Understand and provide clear written and verbal directions.
- Prioritize and handle multiple work assignments, understand project budgets and schedules, and regularly report work progress.
- Valid driver’s license.
It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:
- Experience with community Engagement/Public Outreach experience.
- Experience delineating wetlands.
- GIS experience.
- Experience identifying native and non-native plants.
- Experience identifying and working with juvenile salmonids typically found in Washington.
Important Notes
- This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
- This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
- In addition to base salary, employees may be entitled to other forms of compensation depending on the type, duties, or location of the position. For union-represented positions, more information on other forms of compensation can be found in the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements. Information on other compensation types for non-represented positions can be found in Chapter 357-28 of the Washington Administrative Code.
- The salary listed includes the legislative approved 5% salary premium for positions in King County.
- Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 357-16-197 mandates that all employees who work for executive cabinet agencies (which includes the Department of Transportation) must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Compliance with this mandate is a condition of employment with WSDOT. Exemption may be granted for religious or medical purposes; however, accommodations will be subject to approval based on the essential functions required of the position.
- WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system. For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov
Why WSDOT
- Work-Life Balance – We offer flexible work schedules that allow you time for your life outside of this excellent opportunity.
- Paid Leave – In addition to 12 paid holidays, full-time employees earn a minimum 14 paid vacation days per year!
- Tuition Assistance – Permanent employees have several options for assistance with education expenses, including tuition reimbursement programs, government discounts at participating colleges throughout the state, and eligibility for federal student loan forgiveness.
- Plan For Your Future – WSDOT offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes a variety of healthcare options. Employees also have their choice of state retirement programs, and much more. Go to State Benefits for more information.
How to Apply
Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Your relevant experience may be evaluated to determine salary. Therefore, it is very important that the “Work Experience” portion of the application be completed in as much detail as possible.
In order to be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your online application:
- An attached Resume outlining (in reverse chronological order) your experience to date.
- An attached Cover Letter that further explains your qualifications and indicates why you believe you are a viable candidate for this role.
- Contact details for a minimum three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job-related competencies. This information can be entered in the “References” section of the online application; does not require an additional attachment.
To Apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/3931365/environmental-assistant-transportation-planning-specialist-2-in-training. Note that you will be prompted to either sign in or create an account. This step is required in order to submit an application to this opportunity.
WSDOT is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, as well as people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the listed Recruiter.
Contact us
For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter, Amanda Strebeck, at strebal@wsdot.wa.gov . Please be sure to reference Environmental Assistant #13283 in the subject line.
